Ladki Bahin Yojana: Anganwadi Workers To Conduct Door-to-door Verification

Women enrolled under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana continue to wait for their January installment, even days after the civic polls concluded. The delay has caused unrest in several parts of Maharashtra, with beneficiaries questioning the timing of the payout and seeking clarity from the authorities. As frustration grows on the ground, the state government has now acknowledged lapses in the verification process and announced corrective steps to resume stalled payments.

Why The January Installment Is Delayed

The Ladki Bahin Yojana was introduced as a key welfare measure to provide financial support to women, aimed at strengthening household stability and improving health and nutrition outcomes. However, the scheme has faced operational challenges, particularly linked to errors during the mandatory e-KYC process.

Officials have stated that a large number of beneficiaries made incorrect selections while completing their e-KYC details. These discrepancies reportedly led to mismatches in records, preventing the system from processing payments smoothly. As a result, the January installment has remained pending for many eligible women.

The verification exercise was launched around Diwali, with beneficiaries asked to complete e-KYC by 31 December. While most applicants attempted to meet the deadline, mistakes during data entry appear to have had a wider impact than initially anticipated.

Protests And Growing Discontent Among Beneficiaries

The delay has triggered protests in certain districts, where women gathered to demand immediate disbursal of the pending amount. Many beneficiaries have said the financial assistance plays a crucial role in managing daily expenses, particularly for families with limited income sources.

Several women expressed concern that the lack of communication added to their anxiety, especially after the elections had concluded. For many, the expectation was that payments would resume promptly once the electoral process was over. Instead, uncertainty around timelines has fuelled anger and confusion.

Government Acknowledges Verification Errors

Responding to the growing discontent, the state government has admitted that flaws in the e-KYC process led to payment delays. Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare said the issue stemmed from incorrect options being selected by applicants during verification.

According to the minister, the scheme remains focused on improving women’s financial independence and overall well-being. She reiterated that completing e-KYC correctly is essential for the effective implementation of the programme and stressed that the errors were technical rather than policy-related.

Door To Door Verification Through Anganwadi Workers

To resolve the issue, the government has announced a door-to-door verification drive across Maharashtra. Anganwadi workers have been instructed to physically verify beneficiaries at their homes to correct discrepancies and ensure records are accurate.

District collectors have been directed to oversee the process and ensure it is carried out as per the scheme’s guidelines. While Anganwadi workers were earlier assigned similar responsibilities, officials admitted the exercise had not been fully implemented on the ground. The renewed directive aims to fast-track verification and unblock payments.

Officials said the home visits will help identify genuine beneficiaries, correct documentation errors, and prevent further delays in future installments.

What Beneficiaries Can Expect Next

With the verification drive set to begin shortly, the government has indicated that payments will resume once discrepancies are resolved. However, no specific date has been announced for the release of the pending January installment.

For now, beneficiaries are being urged to cooperate with Anganwadi workers during the verification process. The episode has also highlighted the need for clearer communication and stronger on-ground execution of welfare schemes that impact millions of households.

As the state works to restore confidence in the Ladki Bahin Yojana, many women continue to wait for relief, hoping the promised financial support will reach them without further hurdles.